Matt Rempe Secures Spot on Rangers' Opening Night Roster
Forward earns place on New York Rangers' 23-man roster after strong preseason performance and clearing roster hurdles.
Matt Rempe has earned a spot on the New York Rangers' opening night roster, a development that became clear on Sunday when the team placed forward Taylor Raddysh on waivers. This move opened up a position for Rempe, who is not waiver-exempt, and Jaroslav Chmelar to be part of the initial 23-man group heading to Boston for Tuesday's season opener.
Rempe, a 6-foot-9 forward known for his physicality, entered training camp with a significant amount to prove after a season hampered by injuries. He was limited to just 26 games last year following two procedures on his left thumb. His ability to overcome these challenges and secure a roster spot highlights a hard-fought preseason.
During his three preseason appearances, Rempe registered 14 hits, two assists, and two blocked shots. By the team's final exhibition game against the Islanders on Friday, Rempe skated on the fourth line alongside Tye Kartye and Joe Veleno. This placement in what was effectively a dress rehearsal indicated his strong standing within the team's plans.
Rempe's return to full health marks a significant turnaround. Before the Rangers' first exhibition game, he had not played in an NHL game since February 5, having struggled with shooting and puck handling in the 17 games after his first thumb procedure last season. His career regular season and playoff total includes 96 games played, 12 points, and 10 fights.
Head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged Rempe's journey back to form. "You have to acknowledge that he’s missed a lot of hockey, so he’s — to a certain extent, he’s trying to recapture all of those things that help players have success," Sullivan said Friday. "Speed, timing, conditioning, all of those things. … It’s hard to simulate NHL game intensity in a practice, so he played in three games, three out of the four, and that was by design because he’s missed so much."
Sullivan added, "Remps has been a big part of this team, and I think the guys really appreciate what he does for the group."